2009 Toyota Venza Crossover

Comments

Yeah, the FT-SX featured a sliding rear cargo traythat could assisted with (un)loading. It wasn't designed with a 3rd row in mind. The vehicle's interior is very modern, cutting edge even. It may turn the older buyers (45+) off though. I personally like it hope that it's around in 6 years when I retire my SUV.

Why are we calling them "cross-overs" it's just another name for Station Wagon, without the stigma of a Station Wagon.

-mike

The term "crossover" to me originated with the Lexus RX300. It was the first(that I know of) vehicle to be designed with suv functionality that was not on a truck platform and not meant to be taken off road. So when I hear crossover I think of car like ride vs a bumpy truck.

Why are we still taking about minivans? My impression of the Venza is that has nothing to do with a minivan and is not meant to be.

Ft-sx is a concept vehicle. Not all concepts translate to real world finished product. The third row seat may make it over here may not. It probably will since it folds flat to make it a 5 seater wagon. We'll see. Mack

The venza is looking SWEET you guys. I got to see it at work because I work at Georgetown. It will be at the Detroit auto-show on the 13th. I can tell you it does indeed look similar to the Ft-sx. I liked looking at it so much I wanted to drive it home lol. You will all be surprised about the details of this car, it's high tech and amazing.

It IS a 2.7 liter in-line 4 cylinder engine. I repeat it is a 2.7 liter in-line 4 cylinder egnine. I do not know the details of the engine. It doesn't look exactly like the concept car but it sure does look very similar. The concept car can be found here http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/ftsx.html

thanks for the headsup mccoy1986, assuming that you still have your job .

To me it looks like the original RX300 in size and body style, except the grill. It would seem to fit those who didn't like the growth in the Gen2 Highlander. But it has a few interesting characteristics that neither of the HLs have had. The 2.7L is a surprise to me. I wonder if it't the Taco engine dropped in here or if it's a new development of the 2AZ used everywhere else as the 2.4L.

Normal options and goodies. No hybrid version ( blah ).Suspension/Handling?

It appears to be a 'sporty' version of the outgoing Highlander. With the right suspension it might be a hoot to drive. But it seems directed to empty-nesters and young families. I hear that 75,000 units is the first full year goal.

Like the Mark Zio that I posted a few months back. I also said the front would be different and some of the back. The 2.7l will probably be the one in the Tacoma, who knows. I don't believe for one minute what Toyota said about this vehicle being developed and designed in the US looks very Japanese to me. Looks like another homerun for Toyota. Finally a Camry wagon. Mack

Looks nice (nicer than Highlander definitely), although 19- and 20-inch rims seem a bit much on a people mover.

Seems like it could make decent mileage with the 4-cyl engine, although on the Avalon platform it must be fairly large - hopefully they have kept the weight down?

4-cylinder Tacoma XtraCabs are peppy to drive in town, because the engine is big enough to have very good torque, even if it is 4-cylinder. I would imagine Venza might weigh about the same (3400ish pounds).

The press-release says the 2.7L is all new, so I think it is doubtful that it is the 2.7L from the Taco, which I wouldn't call particularly efficient or powerful (which are the words mentioned in the press-release). That engine - in Tacoma form - also only meets LEV-II requirements, not the much more stringent ULEV-II requirements, and I find it difficult that Toyota would intro the Venza w/o at least hitting ULEV-II if not PZEV.

I think the Venza looks great, and they'll sell a lot of them, especially if they offer all of the features of an Avalon on it. However, this trend to larger and larger wheels has got to stop soon, doesn't it?

I would imagine the economy would be about the same as the Highlander, if not slightly better, since it's the same engine, probably less weight, and a six speed tranny. Of course, the 4-cyl. should be even better. It can't be the Tacoma engine if it's all-new, and that's a truck motor anyway. Toyota doesn't mix front and rear drive engines very much.